| 23 July 2023
A peaceful Kanwar Yatra, consisting of nearly 2000 devotees on their way to fetch water, turned violent when a mob attacked the religious procession near the Shahnoori mosque in the Jogi Nawada area. The incident left nearly a dozen Kanwariyas and several police personnel injured, prompting authorities to deploy additional forces in the region.
According to Rahul Bhati, the Superintendent of Police (SP) city, Bareilly, the Kanwariyas were en route to obtain water from Kachhla Ghat when stones were indiscriminately hurled at them from the vicinity of Shahnoori mosque and nearby residences. The sudden and unprovoked attack created chaos and tension in the area.
Following the incident, the police immediately swung into action to control the situation and ensure the safety of the Kanwar Yatra participants. A strong police force was deployed in the area to prevent further escalation of violence.
Senior Superintendent of Police Prabhakar Chowdhry offered insight into the cause of the conflict, stating, “Today, Kanwar Yatra was coming out from the vicinity of Thana Baradari. As soon as this yatra passed near a religious place, a dispute arose over throwing something, which led to stone pelting. The footage obtained shows both sides throwing stones at each other.”
Fortunately, prompt police intervention allowed the Kanwar Yatra to proceed on its intended route without any major disruptions. While injuries were reported on both sides, no one was critically hurt during the incident, according to authorities.
Kanwar Yatra is an annual religious pilgrimage observed by devout followers of Lord Shiva, where they undertake a journey to sacred water bodies to fetch holy water and offer it at Shiva temples. The pilgrimage usually sees participation from thousands of devotees, and the religious significance of the Yatra holds great importance to the devotees.
However, incidents of violence like the one witnessed in Bareilly raise concerns about the safety and security of the participants and the need for peaceful coexistence among communities during religious processions. The authorities are now investigating the matter further to identify the instigators and prevent such incidents from recurring in the future.
As the region continues to grapple with the aftermath of this unfortunate incident, it is essential for the local administration to take measures to foster better understanding and harmony between religious groups to ensure that all religious events can be celebrated peacefully and without any untoward incidents.
The incident in Bareilly serves as a reminder that while religious devotion is a personal and profound experience for many, it should never be used as a pretext for violence or discord. The authorities and communities must work together to uphold the spirit of unity and tolerance, ensuring that every individual's right to practice their faith peacefully is respected and protected.
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